You may or may not know that, although CraftGossip is based in Australia, I live in the state of Arkansas in the USA. That is, I live about 30 miles from the town of Beebe, where about 5,000 blackbirds dropped … Read More...
Inspiration: Shirlee Fassell and Susan Elliott
I keep going back, over and over, to Susan Elliott‘s photos of Shirlee Fassell‘s Vintage Vignettes crazy quilt. The design and stitching are varied and perfect, and Susan’s photos are phenomenal. Each image captures techniques I want to … Read More...
Take a look at filigree work
Rugosa of My Little Stitches shows off a technique I’m dying to try. She says,
… Read More...Filigree work [is] embroidery on a surface so transparent that the thread that creates the aesthetic is the thread on the back of the work.
Marie-Antoinette was a tatter
Back in October, Penny Nickels posted a terrific article on MrXStitch about the history of tatting, which included this charming portrait of the young Archduchess Marie-Antoinette of Austria. (Is it just me, or is that shuttle huge.) You’ll enjoy … Read More...
Paint fabric with acrylic inks
If you paint fabrics before you embroider them — or if you’ve been wanting to give this technique a try — you’ll definitely want to read Judy Coates Perez‘s review of FW Inks. See her post.
Free desktop calendar for January
This desktop calendar featuring Mountmellick embroidery by Janet M. Davies is free from JMD Designs. Download it now.
Free heart-pop-wrapper design
Check out this excellent freebie:
… Read More...Make these simple heart treat wrappers entirely in the hoop! In less than 1 minute, you’ll have an adorable decoration, name place holder, special grandchild treat, and more! This exclusive design is yours for FREE
Machine-embroidery freebies from Anja Rieger
Here’s a sweet gift from Anja Rieger Designs: These little piggies are available as free downloads — in both hand- and machine-embroidery formats — through January 6 (Central European Time). Grab them.
Still looking for more patterns? Check … Read More...
7 giveaways at Rossiter Designs
Stephanie Flynn of Rossiter Designs announces:
I’m giving away 7 x Celtic Obsessions patterns (valued at $7.95 USD) to celebrate the new year! Entries close 1st February 2011.
Freebie, tute, and sale at UT
Things are really hoppin over on Urban Threads. Check out these juicy tidbits from their e-newsletter:
… Read More...Our highly scientific observations have determined that this is the Year of the Ebook. If you’re one of the many who got a
Giveaway: Letter It! machine-embroidery software
Here’s an awesome announcement from theSewcial.com:
… Read More...Win a copy of Amazing Designs Letter It! Embroidery Software! Say it with style with Letter It! This feature-packed stand alone lettering program lets you create single or multi-line text in a variety
Free chart: Kwanzaa
We’ve been seeing plenty of free Christmas designs around the web and quite a few Hanukkah and winter solstice images, but Kwanzaa patterns are a bit scarce. So I was really happy to find this pattern by Connie G. Barwick… Read More...
12-month cross-stitch
Ria of Stofnest has created this beautiful cross-stitch block-per-month project. It could keep you stitchily busy for a whole year for just 5 Euros! Go to her blog post for ordering information.
Win a needlework bonanza
Dash over to Mary Corbet‘s Needle ‘n’ Thread and get in on the fab year-end giveaway. The prize bundle includes a Trish Burr needlepainting kit, a peacock magnetic needleminder, a butterfly threadwinder, two large thread rings, a 6-slot thread … Read More...
Copy this stitch combo
I’m crazy about this stitch combo from SharonB‘s sampler. She says,
… Read More...This band of stitching on Section 32 of the For Love of Stitching Band Sampler is based on a foundation of 3 rows of herringbone. The top and
Video tute: Raised cup stitch
Mary Corbet of Needle ‘n’ Thread shares a new video tutorial for raised cup stitch. See the tute.
Win or save on Woolen Sails e-patterns
Check out the rockin giveaway over on Woolen Sails — two free e-patterns of the winner’s choice, one to keep and one to give away. Go to the blog post to enter before December 31. And don’t overlook the buy-one-get-one-free … Read More...
Cross-stitch a counted-thread motif
Connie G. Barwick, cross-stitch editor for About.com, has some great advice:
… Read More...Cross Stitchers often use specialty stitches borrowed from other embroidery styles to embellish Cross Stitch designs. One of my favorite counted thread embroidery stitches is the Outlined
Basic tatting tutes
Marilee of Yarnplayer is sharing a series of basic tutorials for tatting novices. The latest lesson: the first half of the double stitch. See the tute. And be sure to bookmark her blog so you can enjoy the whole … Read More...
Tutorial: Bluebird house penny rug
Creative Breathing of Bluebird Papercrafts is sharing the pattern and instructions for this felt penny rug — one of the cutest I’ve seen! Doesn’t your winter table need one of these? See the tute.